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Superb fruit dove

Ptilinopus superbus

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IUCN Conservation Status –
Least Concern
Extinct In The Wild
Class: Birds
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae

You can find this colourful bird in our Gems of the Jungle exhibit.

The superb fruit dove is native to the rainforests of New Guinea, Australia, Solomon Islands, the Philippines and Sulawesi of Indonesia.

They feed on small fruit and berries in the upper canopy of the forest, where they’re well-camouflaged amongst the green foliage.

Interesting facts!

  • The male superb fruit dove is quite the show-off with its fiery orange nape, green ears, and a striking purple crown. Females, on the other hand, are mostly green with a white abdomen and blue wing tips.
  • When these doves take flight, their wings produce a whistling sound, which is quite unique among birds.
  • Their diet mainly consists of fruits and berries, with figs being a favourite. They have a particular fondness for figs.

Conservation

While habitat loss is a significant threat, the superb fruit dove remains relatively common and widely distributed across its range. The IUCN Red List classifies it as least concern. In New South Wales, however, the superb fruit dove is considered vulnerable and may become endangered.